2012 Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program (Deadline Closed)

Application Deadline: Monday, November 14, 2011

The Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem is pleased to announce the annual U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative’s (MEPI) Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program (MEPI LDF). This two-stage program advances political reform efforts in the Middle East and North Africa by providing emerging civic leaders and democracy activists the opportunity to spend three months in the United States gaining academic skills and practical experience as well as networking opportunities with like-minded professionals. The MEPI LDF Program will begin in March 2012 and conclude in June 2012. The first stage of the program will be hosted by Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in Syracuse, New York. The second stage of the program will take place at Washington, D.C.-based institutions and organizations. The MEPI LDF Program will cover international and domestic travel, health insurance, housing, and a moderate living stipend.

Stage 1: Academic Component - The LDF Program begins with six weeks of academic coursework that includes the topics of leadership, democracy, democratic transitions around the globe, comparative politics, civil society, communication, and conflict resolution.  Fellows are expected to be active participants in all seminars and workshops including theoretical debates and skill-building sessions.  Participants are also expected to lead discussions and make presentations to their Leaders for Democracy fellow colleagues and the broader Maxwell School community.

Stage 2: Internship Component - After completing the academic portion of the program, participants will engage in a six-week professional assignment with political, non-governmental, or public policy organizations of interest in the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.). Through this component of the program, participants will gain practical experience in the ways that such institutions interact with government and civil society while also gaining valuable knowledge, experience, and further professional contacts to benefit their respective professional pursuits back home.

Costs

International and domestic travel, health insurance, housing, and a living stipend in the United States will be covered for all fellows. All fellows will travel to the United States in an unaccompanied status.

Eligibility requirements:

• 5 years of experience working as a professional in a political reform oriented field, (e.g. civil society, rule of law, human rights, family law reform);
• Applicants must be between the ages 25 and 40 with a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree and sufficient English language fluency to function successfully in American academic and professional environments;
• Applicants must be a Palestinian resident in Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, or the West Bank. Individuals holding permanent residence status in the United States (including U.S. citizens and green card holders) are not eligible.
• Successful applicants will be requested to submit TOEFL scores at a later date;
• Applicant must not have previously completed a similar academic degree or internship in the United States;
• Applicant must meet U.S. Government program exchange J-visa requirements.

Along with a current resume, each candidate should submit an essay written in English of no more than 1,000 words which answers the following questions:

• How will a MEPI Leaders for Democracy Fellowship enable you to better lead your community or country towards greater democracy and citizen participation in government institutions and activities?
• What do you hope to gain from this program and what are your plans to apply your experiences when you return?
• What changes do you hope to bring about in your country during the next 10 years?

Application Deadline

Please submit your application to MEPIJerusalem@state.gov no later than November 4th, 2011. For any questions about the program please e-mail: MEPIJerusalem@state.gov